Priority Issues in Agriculture

My friends, it is winter time on the Palouse! My greenhouse is full of plants and I have two disease trials and one seed treatment trial now. With this winter and slow work I have time to get even more active in planning and setting the scene for 2011.

These holidays are not all calm for agriculture. We have more to defend than ever and more consumers to educate, with all sorts of resources and avenues to utilize. I want to share with you the key issues that I will be putting my extra time into, aside from full-time research in the greenpea industry and full-time college. These are ranked in their priority.

Key Organizations:
-American/Idaho Farm Bureau and the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee
-Idaho Grain Producers
-Idaho Eastern Oregon Seed Association
-Inland Northwest Partners
-Idaho Cattleman's Association
-National Cattleman's Beed Association
-National Pork Producers Association
-National FFA Organization
-Agchat Foundation
-National Farmers Union
-Idaho State Legislature
-U.S. Congress
-University of Idaho-Moscow
-Washington State University-Pullman
-Idaho/Latah County Republicans

Key Issues
1. Consumer/Producer Education
-To include Farm Bureau Events
-Consumer Workshops
-Political Leader Education
-Ag In The Classroom
-Ag In The Newsroom
-Squared Leadership
2. Agri Business/Small Business Growth and Promotion
-Young Farmers and Ranchers
-Inland Northwest Young Producers Seminar
-Education of Ownership on Resources
3. Inland-Northwest Agriculture Development
4. Proposed GIPSA Rule Change
-Education of local consumers on effects of change
-Commenting on proposal
-Working with Elected Officials to stand against anti-ag policy
5. EPA Regulation on Farm Chemicals
-To include undue regulation
-To include approval of Roundup Ready Technology
-Fight Against Nozzel Regulation
5. Giant Palouse Earthworm/Grey Wolf/ESA
-Fight Enlistment of Non-Researched Species
-Removal of Grey Wolf
-Support for States Rights in control of ESA programs
6. Farm Program Development/Improvement
-To include a call for restructure of the CRP
-Fair assesment of the SURE Program
-Due process in disaster relief
-Farm Subsidy program evaluation/restructure

The most important thing for me is that the public is educated on the truth of agriculture. We see too many people beating producers to the punch and their false statements put a big dent in Agriculture. It will take people from all parts of the country to win this fight.

Stay connected with me and we will work together for a better agriculture.